Steven Kappen, a staff attorney with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service who focuses on estate planning, probate and property issues, explains how Baltimore’s neighborhoods are hollowed out block by block through tax sales, foreclosures, and discriminatory housing policies. Using a study of the 500 block of N. Carrollton Ave., he shows how family homeownership has dropped sharply, fueling displacement and community loss.
Author Archives: Special to the AFRO
Posted inOPINION
A sober voice in a buzzed world: Why THC drinks don’t belong in recovery
By Derrick Robinson I’ve been in recovery for six years. Every day, I choose not to drink, one day at a time. Every day, I navigate a world determined to offer alternatives—some dressed up as “healthier” or “natural.” The latest? THC-infused beverages, now lining shelves next to hard seltzers and craft beers, promising a “buzz […]
Posted inOPINION
Child care doesn’t have to be this terrible
By Brea Harris At three months old, my son was kicked out of his daycare. I had spent my pregnancy navigating my city’s brutal child care landscape — posting on social media looking for nanny shares, adding my name to year-long waitlists, and wondering how I was going to pay the astronomical daycare fees. So, […]
Posted inOpinion
From federal overreach to local betrayal: The double threat to Black freedom in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Kevin Beckford and Yasmin Salina, co-founders of The Hustlers Guild, argue that both federal and local policies in Washington, D.C. are undermining Black freedom by reinstating cash bail and expanding pretrial detention under the guise of public safety. They call for rejecting punitive measures and instead investing in restorative justice, community supports and policies that protect pretrial freedom.
Posted inOPINION
Too many clinics, too little healing: Rethinking addiction treatment in Baltimore
Baltimore’s opioid crisis is exacerbated by an oversupply of behavioral health clinics with little oversight, leading to a moratorium on new enrollments for certain services to evaluate provider quality and rebuild oversight.
Posted inBUSINESS
Black wealth infrastructure as a safety net
Federal layoffs and industry cuts leave Black families most vulnerable to housing and income loss. Here are some things you should know about asset-building programs and fair lending reforms that offer pathways to lasting Black wealth and resilience.
Posted inNational Sports
Samuel scores in Washington debut, and the Commanders stifle the Giants in a 21-6 win
By Noah Trister When Washington lost in the NFC title game in January, the Commanders were so overmatched against Philadelphia’s tush push that officials threatened to award an automatic touchdown if they didn’t stop jumping offside. In this season’s opener, it was a different story near the goal line. The Commanders held New York to […]
Posted inOPINION
The Unfinished Work: Black Intellectuals and the MAGA Backlash
Black intellectuals must return to Harold Cruse’s blueprint for self-determination and build autonomous institutions to respond to the MAGA backlash and ensure Black voices are not silenced.
Posted inCommentary
Breaking cycles of poverty: The legacy of PATHS at UDC
For more than 20 years, the UDC PATHS Program helped African-American families in Washington, D.C., particularly single mothers, pursue education and long-term stability while breaking cycles of poverty. With its closure on Oct. 1, 2025, PATHS leaves a legacy of empowerment, equity and community transformation.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Attorney General Schwalb sues to end illegal National Guard deployment in D.C.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s deployment of nearly 2,300 National Guard troops to the District, arguing the move violates federal law and undermines local self-governance. The suit contends that deputizing out-of-state troops for policing duties endangers residents, erodes public trust, and exceeds presidential authority.
Posted inNational Sports
Commanders open 2025 season with confidence, chemistry and championship dreams
By Edward G. Robinson III A new NFL season has arrived and expectations are sky high for the Washington Commanders. That’s not a joke. Last season, Commanders fans experienced a level of success that had eluded the franchise for more than 20 years. Inspired by the coolheaded performances of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and veteran […]
Posted inNational Sports
Baltimore Ravens return with depth, star power—and a reminder to trust the process
By Edward G. Robinson III Some Baltimore Ravens fans are looking at the team’s current roster and can’t help but skip ahead to the NFL playoffs. They recall last season, when the Ravens exited the playoffs earlier than expected in a heartbreaking 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, and they are […]
